Ratt released a self-titled mini-album in 1983 on a local label, the release now often known as just 'Ratt', and they struck up a close personal friendship with members of Mötley Crüe, friendly rivals that shared the same hard partying lifestyle. The aforementioned glam metal scene of southern California brought the fledgling band major inspiration. Ratt then made their breakthrough with their first full studio album, 'Out of the Cellar', which stayed in the Billboard Top 20 for six months. Single "Round and Round" became the signature song of the group. The album has since been certified as multi-platinum by the RIAA and continues to be loved by many metal fans.
They toured with Ozzy Osbourne before joining a Billy Squier jaunt, where they were apparently 'thrown off' because they were more popular than the headline act. Their subsequent output has seen them follow a familiar arena-friendly hard rock route, with accusations over sexist videos contrasting with their ability to sell out concert halls and produce recordings that regularly received platinum and gold certifications. In particular, their highly successful sophomore album, 'Invasion of Your Privacy', proved that they were no "one album wonder".
Still, the changing musical zeitgeist would not be kind to groups such as Ratt, with grunge and alternative rock seizing the spotlight. Ratt's 1990 release 'Detonator' featured several songs co-written with Desmond Child, known for his previous work with Alice Cooper and Bon Jovi among others, and it proved their most adventurous recording to date in some ways. Yet the group's success had clearly waned, and the years on the road had contributed to conflict within the band. Crosby would depart after the September 1991 release of compilation album 'Ratt & Roll 81-91'. In 1993, Pearcy unveiled his new solo outfit, Arcade, confirming the dissolution of the band.
Though the band reformed with a new self-titled album in 1999, also known as Ratt (1999). Pearcy would leave Ratt again not long after, unhappy with the album's sound and the musical chemistry within the band. Original guitarist Robbin Crosby's passing in 2002 caused many fans to fear that the group was gone for good. Nonetheless, the band re-united in 2007 for a successful tour with fellow 80s rockers Poison.
The band toured throughout the latter half of the 00s, as retro interests caused a general popular resurgence of 80s musical and culture, and hopes for a new album grew. Ratt went back into the studios minus original guitarist Robbin Crosby. He had died some years earlier brought on by the long and public battle he waged against drugs, having gotten AIDS from sharing needles. His last television interview was with VH1's 'Behind The Music' program, in which the rocker stated: "Don't feel sorry for me. Don't cry for me at my funeral. I've lived the life of ten men. I've been very lucky."
Ratt released a new album in 2010, titled 'Infestation', with Pearcy on the vocals. A commercial and critical comeback, fans rejoiced at the energetic metal sound. The release hit the #30 slot on the Billboard 200 album chart. It was also the first album since the death of Crosby in 2002.
On October 26, 2010, Ratt announced that the band would be going on indefinite hiatus due to internal tensions.
Reunion with Croucier and second departure of Pearcy (2012–2015)
In January 2012, Pearcy said Ratt was in the process of writing material for a new album, planned to be released that summer. On March 22, bassist Robbie Crane announced his departure from Ratt to focus on Lynch Mob. In April 2012, rumors arose original bassist Juan Croucier would rejoin the band that summer; these rumors were confirmed when Croucier played with Ratt at the M3 festival on May 12.
On April 24, 2014, Pearcy announced that he had left the band again, explaining he was "officially done with having anything to do with them due to the constant turmoil, unresolved business, personal attacks/threats in the public forum, and most of all, the disrespect to the fans."
Legal issues and two versions of Ratt again (2015–2018)
In June 2015, Blotzer formed a band called Bobby Blotzer's Ratt Experience. In August 2015, Croucier formed a touring band that played Ratt's deep cuts, with the band debuting in September.
In September 2015, Blotzer took over control of WBS, a company he set up with DeMartini and Pearcy in 1997 to handle RATT business, over the objection of DeMartini and announced that he had "taken control" of Ratt and his Ratt Experience lineup was the real Ratt and would be embarking a tour in 2016 titled the American Made Re-Invasion Tour.
Until early 2017, Blotzer toured using the name Ratt. The 2016 Re-Invasion tour took Ratt throughout North America. Their tour also took them to the UK, including Hard Rock Hell and London.
Ratt's "New Breed" and unknown future (2018–current)
On June 1, 2018, it was announced by vocalist Pearcy that Ratt would move forward with him and bassist Croucier. It was confirmed that DeMartini had departed from Ratt, with Cavazo and Degrasso following. On July 5, 2018, it was revealed that Pearcy and Croucier would be joined by Black 'N Blue drummer Pete Holmes and guitarists Jordan Ziff and Chris Sanders. In February 2020, guitarist Chris Sanders announced his departure from the band, along with announcing his retirement from the music industry.
In March 2020, the band announced they would be embarking on the Big Rock Summer Tour starting in June, along with Tom Keifer, Skid Row, and Slaughter. On June 17, the tour was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shortly after, it was announced that all Ratt shows in 2020 were rescheduled for 2021.
In January 2021, Pearcy expressed interest in making one final Ratt album with all the remaining original members. On June 26, Ratt announced the addition of guitarist Frankie Lindia of David Lee Roth's solo band, replacing Chris Sanders.
In September 2022, Pearcy revealed that he would only want to continue Ratt with the remaining classic-era bandmates, but that "it's not gonna happen". He said reuniting with the members would be "all business pretty much", but that "there's no business in the Ratt camp". He also revealed he regretted touring as Ratt with only Croucier from the classic lineup and that he would be continuing to play Ratt songs with his solo band
Website: http://www.therattpack.com/
Discography
Ratt (EP - 1983)
Out of the Cellar (1984)
Invasion of Your Privacy (1985)
Dancing Undercover (1986)
Reach for the Sky (1988)
Detonator (1990)
Ratt & Roll 81-91 (1991)
Ratt (1999)
Infestation (2010)
Don't Let Go
Ratt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I don't care who I'm with
You know it's drivin' me crazy, a little insane
But that just who I am
You know its Saturday night, it must be right
'Cause last time she bit my lip
She said, turn me over and inside out Then she asked me to do it again
You don't know me, you don't care
You don't own me, you don't care
Don't let go of love, yeah
Don't let go of love, yeah
What do you say when you're deep in love and deeper every day
Dreams of you all through my head, why won't they go away
I'm gonna make this night, a night to remember
She asked me where I lived in town, right over here
You don't know me, you don't care
You don't own me, you don't care
Don't let go of love, yeah
Don't let go of love, yeah
Another weekend and I'm feeling kinda hot
She looked so good in every way
I couldn't take my eyes off her licking lips
Nobody take her away
Don't let go of love, yeah
Don't let go of love, yeah
Yeah
The lyrics to Ratt's song Don't Let Go are about a man who is obsessed with sexual desire and is actively seeking a hookup. They reveal his inner thoughts as he talks about his casual approach to sex, and his feelings of entitlement. Despite acting on his impulses, he acknowledges that his actions are making him feel a little crazy, but justifies it by stating that it's simply who he is.
The song takes place on a Saturday night, and the man is determined to make it a memorable one. He meets someone he's interested in, who is equally interested in him. She requests to be turned inside out, and asks for it to be repeated. The chorus of the song is the man encouraging the woman to not let go of love, even though he doesn't fully understand what it means.
As the song progresses, the man continues to act on his sexual desires and is thinking about the woman he's interested in. He dreams of her often, and can't seem to get her out of his head. He's excited to have the opportunity to spend time with her and make the night one to remember.
Overall, the lyrics of Don't Let Go reveal a man who is focused on his pursuit of sexual pleasure but is confused by his feelings towards love. He tries to live in the moment and not think about the consequences of his actions, but there's an underlying vulnerability that can be heard in the chorus of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm gonna get me some leg tonight for sure
I'm going out tonight to find someone to sleep with
And I don't care who I'm with
I don't care who the person is that I end up sleeping with
You know it's drivin' me crazy, a little insane
The desire to have sex is making me feel restless and desire sex even more
But that just who I am
I'm unapologetically a sexually-driven person
You know its Saturday night, it must be right
Saturday night is typically a popular night to go out and have fun
'Cause last time she bit my lip
I had a sexual encounter with someone before who was really into it
She said, turn me over and inside out
She wanted to have sex in any possible position
Then she asked me to do it again
She wanted to repeat the sexual encounter
You don't know me, you don't care
You don't have any connection or attachment to me
You don't own me, you don't care
You don't have any control over me; you don't care about me
Don't let go of love, yeah
Hold onto love and don't give up on it
What do you say when you're deep in love and deeper every day
What can you say when you're in love and feel that love growing stronger with each passing day?
Dreams of you all through my head, why won't they go away
I constantly think about my lover and can't stop
I'm gonna make this night, a night to remember
I want to make tonight an unforgettable night of fun and pleasure
She asked me where I lived in town, right over here
Someone I'm interested in is asking me about my location
Another weekend and I'm feeling kinda hot
Another weekend has arrived and I'm feeling horny
She looked so good in every way
The object of my desire looked physically appealing
I couldn't take my eyes off her licking lips
I was mesmerized by watching her lick her lips
Nobody take her away
No one should take the person away from me
Don't let go of love, yeah
Hold onto love and don't give up on it
Don't let go of love, yeah
Hold onto love and don't give up on it
Yeah
An expression of agreement or confirmation
Contributed by Gabriel I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@stratamaster78
I know I'm getting some right, tonight will show
And I don't care who I'm with
You know it's driving me crazy, a little insane
But that's just who I am
You know it's Saturday night, it must be right
'Cause last time she gave me a lift
She said, "Turn me over and inside out"
And she asked me to do it again
You don't know me, you don't care
You don't know me, you don't care
Don't let go, oh, no, yeah
Don't let go, oh, no, yeah
Way to say when you're deep in love
And deeper everyday
Dreams of you up in my head
Why won't they go away?
I'm gonna make this night
A night to remember
She asked me where I lived in town
And I don't [Incomprehensible]
You don't know me, you don't care
You don't own me, you don't dare
Don't let go, oh, no, yeah
Don't let go, oh, no, yeah
Another weekend and I'm feeling kind of hot
She looked so good in every way
I couldn't take my eyes off her and I can't let
Nobody take her away
Don't let go, oh no, yeah
Don't let go, oh no, yeah, yeah
@shamipari4425
One of the most rocking track in infestation........ Huge fan of ratt since my childhood with love and respect from Pakistan
@Cookie-hg4xb
Love the David Lee Roth reference , "I'm gonna get me some leg tonight for sure".
@Raiden-R
After all it is amazing!😆👍
@mrbrians.vitullo2138
RATT all new studio album LET'S ROCK!
@orlandorodriguez8422
Crazy awesome brilliant and fun OMG phenomenal love you guys
@poisonousy
Please, don't let go
\m/ \m/
Ratt And Roll, forever
@jessiegarcia3080
prrtty damn good
@wadeboyful
Nice 👍
@ramonaclark4133
I love it bad ass
@rattsjcfanpage01
Well I heard somewhere, that Juan liked the album. :)